Families in Bath and Chippenham are set to welcome a new way for children to build confidence and learn life skills, as Cook Stars expands into the area from its established base in North Bristol.
Tutor Helen Ford already runs successful sessions in North Bristol, and says the move into new locations has been driven by growing demand. “The demand has been amazing, and I’ve had so many families asking for sessions in new areas,” she says. “Expanding into Bath and Chippenham felt like a natural next step to bring Cook Stars to even more children and communities.”
Helen has seen first-hand how much children can gain from the experience. “I’ve been running Cook Stars lessons and workshops for just over a year now, and it’s been an incredible journey watching the business grow and seeing so many children develop a love for cooking along the way,” she says.
Designed to be inclusive and accessible, the sessions cater for a wide range of ages and abilities. “Our sessions are designed for children of all abilities,” Helen explains. “We have three different types of sessions – our minis class for 2–5 year olds, juniors for 5–11 years and academy aimed at those 11–17. We create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child can take part, have fun and feel proud of what they achieve.”
That sense of achievement starts with the basics but quickly builds into something more meaningful. “Children learn a wide range of practical cooking skills – from measuring and mixing to chopping and decorating – all in a safe and supportive setting,” she says. “Alongside this, we introduce basic nutrition, kitchen safety and an understanding of different ingredients.”
For many parents, though, it is the wider benefits that really stand out.
“So much more than just cooking!” Helen says. “Our sessions help build confidence, independence and creativity. Children develop patience, follow instructions, and gain a real sense of achievement by creating something from scratch. It’s also a wonderful way for them to express themselves and try new things.”
The recipes themselves are a big part of the fun, blending creativity with familiar favourites. “We make a huge variety of dishes, but some firm favourites include marble cake, stuffed crust pizza with tiramisu, and our no bake cheesecake was a huge hit,” she says. “The combination of sweet treats and savoury creations always goes down a storm!”
For Helen, the real reward comes from seeing children grow in confidence over time. “Without a doubt, it’s seeing the children’s faces light up when they realise what they’ve created,” she says. “Watching their confidence grow week by week is incredibly rewarding – especially when children who may have been shy at first really come out of their shells.”
With sessions now launching locally, families across Bath and Wiltshire have the chance to experience what has already proved so popular in North Bristol – and perhaps enjoy a few homemade treats along the way.
And at the heart of it all is a simple love of cooking that Helen is passionate about sharing. “Absolutely! Cooking has always been a big part of my life, and I love sharing that at home too,” she says. “It’s a chance to relax, get creative and, of course, enjoy good food together as a family.”
